Letter: Helping others has unexpected reward
To the community,
On Saturday, I saw an elderly man with a gas can struggling to inch his way forward, one step at a time. I stopped, offered him a ride and helped him get in. He told me he ran out of gas and needed to get to a gas station, which was about two miles away. That would have been an all day journey for this gentleman and he was grateful for the lift.
Steve Kubby
As we headed for a gas station, we talked and I learned several years ago he injured his back and was told he would never walk again. So just being able to walk was a huge win for him and now he was even looking forward to riding a bike again.
Once we got the gas, we had to spend some time looking for his truck because he had forgotten were he had parked it. We found his truck, said our goodbyes and as I drove away something unexpected happened.
I felt the weight of the world lifted from my shoulders.
Helping this gentleman had forced me to look at what difficult challenges others must face on a daily basis. It made me realize how fortunate I am and how much I have to be grateful for. It only took a few extra minutes of my life to help a fellow member of our community, but the reward was priceless.
Steve Kubby, South Lake Tahoe
Inspiring
Congratulations Steve-that really is an inspirational personal growth breakthrough for a libertarian such as yourself-its never too late in life-for anyone- to have that ‘weight of the world’ of me me me selfishness lifted from their shoulders-Happy Holidays to all of good will toward their fellow citizens
Good message for the coming week. Happy Thanksgiving Steve, & All.
Yes, Steve, I have had the same experience. Last holiday season I bought some McDonald’s gift certificates to give to homeless people. Each time I gave one out, the recipient was gracious and appreciative. When I was down to my last one I was driving out LTB toward the stop sign and saw a rugged looking man pushing a shopping cart. I had seen him several times before but had wondered if he would be open to taking a gift card. I turned my car around, rolled down my window and asked him if he could use one of the cards. His face lit up with a beautiful smile and he accepted the card with lovely words of appreciation. For people who do not wish to give money, cards like this are a good alternative. Everyone is happy to have a hot meal in the cold weather.
Steve-
I don’t find myself agreeing with many of the things you have written before.
This letter, however, without agenda, speaks of something so simple but so elusive that we all should listen.
It is easy to get so caught up in our own ( often minor) issues that we forget the rush of making a fellow citizen’s lot better.
Thanks for the reminder that even a small favor can have incalculable value to the recipient, and the corollary that we may all BE that recipient at some time.
Wow , Wouldnt it be nice if this happened everyday of our lives ?, Not just the Holidays, Its better to give, then to receive ,It feels so good inside, Nice article,Steve, God Bless you,
Thank You
Nice uplifting story Steve ! Thank You !!
Yup – It’s surprising how good you feel after helping out someone who has so much less. Just listening to them for a moment helps them so much as well.
You personal reward was an added bonus.
I often hand those begging for money a few buck or more hoping they will go get something warm to eat.
Some of my friends think I’m enhancing their begging lifestyle.
My answer to that is – “It’s not my place to judge others who have way less than I do”